Description

Technical Parameters

Introduction

MT22

musclepic 3

Products Description

Part 1: Basic Concepts and Research Background of MT2

MT2, chemically known as Melanotan II, is a cyclic analog of α-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone). By modifying the structure of natural α-MSH, a more stable cyclic feature was introduced, resulting in stronger resistance to enzymatic degradation and a longer duration of action in both in vitro and in vivo experimental settings.

In the 1980s, research teams gradually developed MT2 while exploring mechanisms of skin pigmentation, UV damage protection, and melanin regulation pathways. Its synthetic route is mature, its peptide chain length is moderate, facilitating large-scale solid-phase synthesis, and effectively ensuring purity and batch-to-batch stability.

Part 2: Classification System of Raw Material Grade MT2

Based on the raw peptide supply chain and applications, MT2 powder can be broadly classified into the following three grades:

I. Pharmaceutical Grade MT2 Raw Peptides

Purity is typically ≥ 99%.

These have stricter requirements for HPLC, MS, and amino acid analysis.

Impurity peaks are controlled, and residual solvents meet pharmacopoeia limits.

Mostly used in high-end scientific research and formulation development.

II. Laboratory Research Grade MT2

Purity is generally in the 97–99% range.

Suitable for cell experiments, animal experiments, skin research models, etc.

Relatively more cost-effective for research purposes.

III. Industrial or Technical Grade MT2

Purity is around 95%.

Used for teaching experiments, structural analysis, and early formulation validation.

Impurity control is less stringent than the previous two grades.

These three types of MT2 raw material powder constitute the basic hierarchical structure of the industry chain, covering different demand scenarios from R&D to application.

Part 3 Physicochemical Properties

High-quality MT2 raw material peptides possess a series of typical physicochemical properties:

1. Molecular Structure and Peptide Chain Characteristics

MT2 is composed of 7 amino acids and has a cyclic peptide structure. Its cyclization stability makes it highly resistant to protease degradation and provides a longer stable "survival time" in various experimental environments.

2. Molecular Formula and Molecular Weight

Molecular Formula: C50H69N15O9

Molecular Weight: Approximately 1024.18 Da

Its molecular weight is above average among common research peptides, which is beneficial for detection and identification by MALDI-MS and ESI-MS.

3. Solubility and Hydrophilicity

MT2 is a neutral to slightly hydrophilic peptide:

Soluble in

- Purified water

- Dilute acid solutions (such as 0.1% acetic acid)

- Neutral solvents such as physiological saline

After dissolution, it forms a clear and transparent liquid. High-purity products show no visible impurities, suspended matter, or crystallization.

4. Stability and Storage Conditions

MT2 powder in its lyophilized state exhibits excellent stability, maintaining its structure unchanged for extended periods under low-temperature, light-protected conditions. Its cyclic structure enhances its resistance to temperature fluctuations and enzymatic hydrolysis, a key reason for its reputation for "excellent stability" among peptide products.

Part 4: Appearance and Powder Characteristics

High-quality MT2 powder exhibits the following typical characteristics:

Color: White to off-white powder; some batches may show a slightly pale beige hue, which is normal due to minor variations in amino acid side chains and does not affect overall purity or quality.

Physique: The powder is mostly fluffy or finely granular, with a light texture, exhibiting the typical "loose structure" of lyophilized peptides. This stems from the sponge-like microporous structure formed during the lyophilization process.

Odor: High-quality MT2 has no noticeable odor or only a slight, natural amino acid odor.

Appearance after Dissolution: A colorless, transparent solution. Turbidity, flocculent precipitate, or significant color changes indicate potential problems such as improper storage, solvent contamination, or abnormal raw material purity.

Part 5: Advantages of MT2

As an α-MSH analog and a high-quality research peptide, MT2 offers several advantages.

**I. High Stability**

Its cyclic structure enhances its enzyme resistance, resulting in superior stability compared to linear peptides in cellular and in vivo models.

**II. Mature Peptide Synthesis**

The solid-phase synthesis route is well-defined, allowing for controllable industrial production and good batch-to-batch consistency.

**III. Rapid Dissolution and Formulation-Friendly**

It is readily soluble in common solvents, suitable for lyophilization and solution preparation, and also facilitates the development of various dosage forms for skin research applications such as microneedles, sprays, and gel systems.

**IV. Wide Range of Research Applications**

MT2 is involved in multiple research pathways, including:

Melanin Regulation

Skin Photoprotection Mechanisms

UV Damage Models

Photobiological Research

Skin Barrier Function Detection

These all contribute to making it one of the core peptides in dermatology and pigment research.

Part 6 Quality Control Key Points

To assess the "high quality" of MT2 raw material powder, the following indicators are typically considered:

1. HPLC Purity

Products with a purity ≥ 98% or ≥ 99% are generally considered high-end research-grade.

2. MS Identification

The main peak molecular weight should match the theoretical molecular weight, with no multi-peak decomposition.

3. Residual Solvents

Should meet pharmacopoeia limits. Residues such as DMF, DCM, and TFA require strict control.

4. Endotoxin Content

High-quality peptides are generally controlled within standard limits for use in higher-level experiments.

5. Sterilization and Microbial Limits

Lyophilized peptides allow for aseptic processing, reducing the risk of contamination.

6. Moisture Content

Lyophilized powder has extremely low moisture content, which helps extend shelf life.

These indicators constitute the core standards for judging the quality of MT2 raw materials.

Part 7 Storage and Packaging

As a sensitive biomaterial, MT2 requires specialized packaging:

Low-temperature storage (generally stable for many years at -20℃)

Protective from light and moisture

Sealed lyophilized bottles or butyl rubber stoppers

Shockproof packaging to maintain powder structure

Research institutions typically use small-dose aliquoting to avoid degradation and repeated freeze-thaw cycles caused by repeated opening.

Part 8 Application Value and Research Prospects

The research value of MT2 stems from its role in mimicking the melanin regulatory pathway, and it can be used for:

Photoprotection mechanism models

Skin pigment metabolism research

Cytochrome bioregulation experiments

UV damage assessment

Exploration of medical dermatological mechanisms

With the deepening of peptide research in the field of dermatology, the future research directions of MT2 are gradually expanding, including novel delivery systems, nanocarriers, controlled-release formulations, and skin penetration enhancement technologies.

Conclusion

High-quality MT2 raw material peptides combine good physicochemical stability, high purity, clear structural characteristics, and broad research value, making them an indispensable high-value molecule in the peptide research system. From its appearance, stability, and solubility to its classification system and quality control standards, MT2 has developed a complete and mature production technology pathway. For researchers engaged in dermatology, photobiology, and peptide formulation development, a thorough understanding of MT2's systematic information can help improve experimental quality and research results more efficiently.